Process for rearing and transporting arrangements of epiphytic plants

ABSTRACT

Precultivated epiphytes, as well as derivatives of these are used in the usual manner for the artificial cultivation of epiphytes, in particular orchids as well as hybrids and/or intergeneric derivatives of these. Within the concept of the invention the precultivated epiphytes or the derivatives of these are brought into a permanent biological union with the bark of a live host tree which is several years old and forms lignified bark (that can originate from a geographical area other than that of the epiphytes). If necessary at least that portion of the host tree that is used for creation of the biological union is kept, at least temporarily, in a controlled climate, and the plant arrangement created in this manner is kept alive in toto and used subsequently either in whole or in part. 
     The floral arrangements that contain the epiphytes, particularly orchids, or the hybrids and/or intergeneric derivatives of these are developed, according to the present invention, to the point that the epiphytes or the derivatives of these are settled by means of a permanent biological bond on the bark of a live host tree which is several years old and forms lignified bark and the floral arrangement can move at least temporarily from its location. The epiphytes or the derivatives of these are transported to their destination by a known transportation procedure. This procedure is developed to the point that for purposes of transportation epiphytes or the derivatives of these that form a permanent biological union with the bark of a live host tree which is several years old and forms lignified bark are used. The union is formed, if necessary, prior to transportation and the resulting floral arrangement is then transported.

The present invention relates to a method for the artificial rearing ofepiphytes, particularly orchids, as well as hybrids and/or intergenericderivatives of these, by using previously cultivated epiphytes orderivatives of these. In addition, the present invention relates tofloral arrangements made up with the help of epiphytes, particularlyorchids as well as their hybrids and/or intergeneric derivatives of thesame. Finally, the present invention relates to a process used totransport the previously cultivated epiphytes, particularly orchids, aswell as hybrids and/or intergeneric derivatives of these to theirdestinations.

Subsequently, in the description of the invention, the term epiphytewill be used in the sense of tree-dwelling plants. Central to thisinvention, among the tree-dwelling plants, are the orchids; however,other epiphytes and their hybrids or intergeneric derivatives are amongthe objects of the invention.

STATE OF THE ART

When epiphytes are reared artificially they are set in various mixturesof planting media where they then take root. The mixed planting mediaare composed of the bark of American conifers, fern roots and fibres,wood charcoal, plastic, lava and other components. The epiphytes canthen be arranged in the most varied fashions, e.g., in perforatedplanter pots, plastic baskets, nets, baskets woven from wooden strips,set on the table, or even suspended from a plastic surface.

Such artificial rearing of epiphytes entails not only the disadvantagethat the planting medium, or substrate, is difficult to produce and itscomponents difficult to obtain, but it also entails the disadvantagethat the epiphytes that are bedded in the substrate must be replantedevery year and the substrate replaced. When such replanting takes place,the roots are damaged and start to rot. This causes considerable setbackin the development and blooming vigour of the plants. From this itfollows that the replanting that is required on a regular basis is bothcost and labour intensive and entails considerable disadvantages fromthe point of view of the plants. Furthermore, it has been shown thatthere are many beautiful epiphytes that even when cared for mostcarefully and the finest substratum is used can only be kept aliveartificially for a brief period, or sometimes not at all. It is agenerally well-known fact that of the epiphytic orchids themselves onlyapproximately one-third can be kept alive in an artificial substrate.Accordingly, it must be acknowledged that up to the present the problemof rearing and maintaining epiphytes artificially has not been solvedsatisfactorily.

The same must be said regarding the transportation of epiphytes. It isobvious that the solution is to move the artificially raised epiphytestogether with the substrate in which they have put down roots. However,counter to this is the fact that for reasons of plant protection, plantsubstrates or root balls and the plants in them cannot be moved acrossthe borders of most countries either under no circumstances or only incompliance with the strictest of regulations. Naturally, the epiphytesthat cannot be kept alive in artificial substrata can thus not betransported.

But not even the problem of transporting epiphytes grown naturally intheir proper habitat has been solved. In the tropics, epiphytes takeroot in tropical trees. It is, of course, impossible to move these treesand for this reason the epiphytes must be separated from them. Onseparation, the epiphytes get damaged and this complicates the problemof moving them and, sometimes, even renders it impossible. The plantsgrow weaker during a move, and many of them die. When epiphytes thathave grown in the tropics are to be moved, transportation over greatdistances is involved, for very often the place of sale and finaldisposal are located in an area with a non-tropical, for example, atemperate, climate.

Up to now, an increase in aesthetic appeal was frequently the exclusivemotive for putting floral arrangements together, for when ornamentalplants are raised and evaluated two of the most important factors arepleasing appearance and novelty. Very frequently, in exhibitions and inbotanical gardens, one can see that the epiphytes that are in artificialsubstrata are mostly hung from dead or live trees, this being done toincrease the aesthetic effect. However, the effect that is achievedthereby is greatly reduced by the fact that the equipment used to hangthe plants, and the artificial substrate cannot be hidden from view. Inaddition, the epiphytes are burdened even more by such treatment, andthis is an even greater detriment to them.

In connection with the artificial rearing and maintenance of epiphytes,the generally, known fact that shoot formation is of especial importanceto their proliferation must also be recognised. Many coloured leaf andbloom variants can only be continued by this method since succeedinggenerations cultivated from seeds loose the characteristics of themother plants. Furthermore, many special hybrids are incapable ofpollination and seed production; they are sterile, and can only bypropagated by vegetative methods. Very often, rooting shoots inartificial planting substrate poses an insoluble problem, and this is aconsiderable obstale to artificial propagation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above, it was the task of the present inventionto develop a process for the artificial cultivation or transportation ofepiphytes, particularly orchids, as well as hybrids and/or intergenericderivatives of these, said process not displaying the disadvantagesfound in previously applied solutions, and by means of which the circleepiphytes amenable to artificial cultivation and transportation can bemade significantly greater, and the associated costs reduced. Theprocess is to be simple and usable under any climatic conditions.

In addition, it is the task of the present invention to configure floralarrangements in which a considerably wider circle of epiphytes,particularly orchids or hybrids of these and/or intergeneric derivativescan be used, said circle being considerably greater than was formerlythe case. The configured floral arrangement is novel, of great artisticworth, and in addition is more in keeping with the biologicalcharacteristics of epiphytes.

The fundamental knowledge that the difficulties encountered in theartificial raising and transportation of epiphytes, and which theproblems associated with floral arrangements made up of epiphytes whichhave a common root contributed to the solution of this complex andcomplicated task; as opposed to their natural living conditions,epiphytes that are cultivated and maintained in an artificially createdenvironment are not situated in trees.

The further development, according to the present invention, of theprocess as it applies to the artificial rearing of epiphytes,particularly orchids, or hybrids and/or intergeneric derivatives ofthese consists in the fact that previously cultivated epiphytes orderivatives of these are placed in permanent biological contact with thebark of a live host tree which is several years old and forms alignified bark, and maintains at least that portion of the host treethat is used to form the biological connection, at least temporarily, ina climate controlled area, and thereby produces a group of plants(floral arrangement) that is connected at the roots and keeps this aliveand continues to use it either in whole or in part. In another case, onecan proceed so that, the precultivated epiphytes or derivatives of theseare placed in permanent biological contact with a host tree thatoriginates from a geographical area other than their natural habitat andthereby produces a group of plants that is several years old andconnected at the roots and keeps this alive in toto and uses it in wholeor in part. The greatest significance of this solution lies in the factthat the living conditions for the epiphytes are improved considerably.The bark of the host tree and the decomposition products from the barksupply the epiphytes with substances that cannot be replaced byartificial substitutes. The runoff water that flows down from the crownof the tree and along the bark is the optimum for the epiphytes withregard to composition, pH value, and oxygen content; it is enriched bynutrients and for this reason in an ideal culture medium for theepiphytes. In this way, too, the assimilating ends of the roots, whichare active in light and the air roots that cover the remaining portionsof the roots and store moisture are free and can function unhindered. Inthis way, it is possible to maintain, artificially, epiphytes that couldnot be kept alive under other artificial conditions.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the presentinvention the permanent biological connection is formed by the roots ofthe epiphytes or derivatives of these and by the fungi that live in theroots with these. One can simply let the epiphytes or the derivatives ofthese take root on the bark of the host tree. In this regard, it isexpedient to control, at least in sections, the root growth rate of thehost tree, or the growth rate of its trunk, its branches and/or itscrown.

Of great importance is another embodiment of the process in which thehost tree is moved temporarily, or made portable, during the cultivationand maintenance of the epiphytes.

The epiphytes or the derivatives of these can be subjected to chemical,microbiological and/or physical manipulation during artificialcultivation. Treatment of the roots is particularly advantageous;however, the host tree, and particularly its bark, can also be treated.Such treatment is carried out before and/or during the formation of thefloral arrangement. Manipulation is here taken to mean at least one ofthe following types of treatment: hormone treatment, chemical treatmentto stimulate growth, development, root formation, and root growth rate,application of the fungi that live with the epiphytes, and irradiationhaving various effects with regard to plant biology.

The further development of the floral arrangement, according to thepresent invention, now lies in the fact that the epiphytes or thederivatives of these are arranged on the bark of a live tree which isseveral year old that forms a lignified bark by a biological connectionthat joins the epiphytes to the host tree permanently and in that thefloral arangement is such that it is portable, at least temporarily. Inthis regard, it is extremely important that the living conditions forthe epiphytes are greatly improved in this manner. Portability isimportant with regard to various possibilities of arrangement and thevariability of the floral arrangement.

Preferred is a version of the floral arrangement according to thepresent arrangement in which the permanent biological connection betweenthe bark of the host tree and the epiphytes is formed by the roots ofthe latter and the fungi that live in said roots. The host tree can bean espalier tree, a dwarf tree, a piece of wood, a shrub, or a lignifieddecorative plant with a live bark, or a part of the foregoing. The hosttree can also be a plant which is several years old that can becultivated in a planter; in such a case it is expedient that the floralarrangement that is created from such a plant and the epiphytes or thederivatives of the same are protected in part by a protective coveringmade of transluscent material.

A floral arrangement has also been created in which the epiphytes or thederivatives of these are arranged by a permanent biological connectionon a several year old live tree that forms a lignified bark andoriginates from the temperate or cold zone and has grown in the ground,a controlled climate being formed at least around this part of thetrunk.

Further development according to the present invention also permits thecreation of floral arrangments in which a system of columns is createdfrom the host trees for the commercial cultivation of epiphytes or thederivatives of these, the epiphytes or their derivatives being arrangedon these vertical columns by means of a permanent biological connection,whereas arrangements of lower plants or other plants are provided in thespaces between these columns. It is preferred that the spaces betweenthe columns can be varied.

As far as transporting epiphytes, particularly orchids, as well ashybrids and/or intergeneric derivatives of these is concerned, furtherdevelopment according to the present invention is now seen in the factthat for transportation epiphytes or derivatives of these are used,these being permanently connected biologically with the bark of a livehost tree, several years old, which forms a lignified bark, and in thatif necessary the permanent biological connection is formed prior totransportation and the floral arrangement so formed is then moved. Thegreatest significance of this solution lies in the fact that neitherplant substrate nor root ball are needed, the epiphytes do not requiretransplanting, their naturally formed epiphytic root connections do nothave to be forcibly torn, and they are kept supplied with nutrientsduring the move.

According to a preferred embodiment of this process, the floralarrangment is created with the help of the roots of the epiphytes or thederivatives of this or by means of the fungi that live in the roots ofthe epiphytes and together with these and/or by being grown in situand/or by replanting. A rooted host tree can also be used fortransportation. However, the floral arrangement can also be applied tothe bark of an easily rootable host tree and only that part of the hosttree used for the creation of the floral arrangement then used fortransportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basisof exemplary versions and forms shown in the drawings appended hereto.These drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an effective version of the floralarrangement according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of a further version ina hot house.

FIG. 3 is a further version in side view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further version.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of another version in partial cross-section.

FIG. 6 is a version as prepared for transportation.

THE BEST VERSION OF THE INVENTION AS CLAIMED

In the exemplary versions and the examples reference is made to orchidsas representatives of the epiphytes and the hybrids and intergenericderivatives of these, this being done for the sake of simplicity.However, no restriction is in effect that could limit application of thepresent invention to orchids. The latter can be replaced by anyepiphytes or hybrids and intergeneric derivatives of the same.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, an orchid 1 is arranged on a host tree 2. Thehost tree 2 is a plant, several years old live tree that forms alignified bark. The orchid arranged thereon is a precultivated plant. Inthis particular arrangement, the host tree 2 is arranged in a planter 3.

As is foreseen by the underlying concept of the invention, there is apermanent biological connections between the orchid 1 and the bark ofthe host tree 2, in that the roots 4 of the orchid 1 are rooted onto thebark of the host tree 2.

Like the roots of epiphytes in general, the roots 4 of the orchid 1 alsoneed air and oxygen. The roots 4 that adhere to the bark of the hosttree 2 are capable of assimilation and because of a layer that coversthem they do not dry out and this ensures the attachment of the orchidand its maintenance in a suitable direction. During the assimilationprocess water and nutrient metabolism takes place and the enzymes of theorchid 1 and the host tree 2 play equal parts in this. The bark of thehost tree 2 and the decomposition by-products from it supplyirreplacable nutrients to the roots of the orchid 1 artificially. Therunoff water that falls from the crown 5 of the host tree and then flowsalong the bark is well-suited to the orchid 1 as far as its composition,pH value, and oxygen content are concerned. The water is enriched withnutrients that are used by the roots 4. It is plain that what isinvolved here is not a parasitic arrangement, but synergy.

As has already been discussed, the only condition to be met with regardto the host tree 2 is that it must be a mature plant with a lignifiedbark. Accordingly, a large number of variations is available for makingup floral arrangements consisting of the orchid 1 and the host tree 2.In the case that is illustrated in FIG. 2, cultivation takes place in anarea whose climate is cooler than that in the tropics, although the hosttree 2 is a tropical plant of a type that originates in the naturalhabitat of the orchid 1. As a consequence of this both the host tree 2and the orchid 1 that is rooted in it must be kept in aclimate-controlled area, in this case a hot house 6. The host trees arearranged and raised in a conventional manner, and the orchids arepermanently connected biologically to the bark of the host tree 2. Thehot house 6 is provided with all the necessary equipment and fittingssuch as an opening roof 7, ventilation, heating, water, and nutrientsupply systems.

FIG. 3 also shows an example for cultivation in a climate that is coolerthan the tropics. Here, however, all that there is in the climatecontrolled area is that portion of the host tree 2 which is used in thecreation of the floral arrangement. To this end, a hot house 8 thatleaves the root environment of the host tree 2 and its crown free isprovided. There is a flexible connection between the trunk of the hosttree 2 and the roof 9 and the base 11 of the hot house. On the one hand,this permits the unrestricted movement of the host tree against the hothouse 8 and on the other ensures the maintenance of the controlledclimate. The inside dimensions of the hot house 8 can be so selectedthat one can move on the floor 11 of the hot house 8 between the hosttrees 2. If one uses a row of trees to this end the trees that standadjacent to each other can form the host trees 2 for a row of columns oforchids which can be arranged in the greatest variety of numbers andways on the trunks of the host trees 2 as on vertical columns. A systemof columns producing an extremely attractive aesthetic effect that ismost pleasing to the eye can be produced from the host trees 2 that bearthe orchids 1.

The open spaces between the columns of the column system formed by thehost trees 2 in the interior of the hot house 8 can be used for settingup additional floral arrangements. These can be low plant arrangementsor plants 14 that are otherwise usual in hot houses. By this means it ispossible, on the one hand, to cover up constructional elements of thehot house, namely, the connection 12 between the host tree 2 and thebase 11 and, on the other, to create a plant environment that creates anillusion of the tropics.

FIG. 4 shows host trees 2 in planters 3, the orchids 1 being arranged onthese host trees. The perspective view provides a good idea of thesystem of columns formed by the host trees. The spaces between theplanters 3 or the host trees 2 can be used for setting out additionalplants or floral arrangements.

FIG. 5 shows a further possibility for the floral arrangement or theclimate controlled area. The host trees 2 are arranged along a walkway15, and the climate controlled areas are formed by hot houses 16, eachof which surrounds a host tree 2. The visitor does not enter these smallhot houses 16, but moves along the walkway 15 to view the orchids 1arranged in the hot houses 16 which are arranged on the trunks of thehost trees 2. Here, too, flexible connections are required between thehot house 16 and the host tree 2, as are the usual fittings forartificial lighting, heating, ventilation, and the like.

FIG. 6 shows a small section of the host tree 2 that is covered by alignified bark, and the orchid 1 is permanently connected biologicallyto this section through its roots 4. This section of the host tree 2 hasroots 17, which in this illustration points to the fact that the hosttree 2 used here provides for good rooting and is alive at this section.

As is clear from the above discussion, the underlying concept of thepresent invention lies in the fact that a permanent biological union isto be created between two kinds of plant life, namely the epiphytes orits derivatives (in the examples, the orchid 1) and the host tree 2.This constitutes a biological pairing for which the two plant types mustfirst be selected. Then, at certain places on the trunk of a live hosttree 2 that is several years old and forms a lignified bark a specificnumber of orchids 1 are to be arranged provisionally such that theirroots 4 are in contact with the bark of the host tree 2. Theprovisionally attached orchids 1 are kept watered and sprayed. In thisway, within several weeks or at most months root formation, epiphytism,takes place. During this time, or optionally after the formation of theroot union the floral arrangement or the orchid 1 or the host tree 2,the roots 4 of the bark of the host tree 2 can be subjected to chemical,microbiological, and/or physical manipulation. What is meant by this is,in the first place, hormone treatments, treatment to stimulate growth,development, root formation, or root growth, the application of thosekinds of fungi that live with the epiphytes, and irradiation to achievevarious effects in the realm of plant biology.

The live plants that serve as the host trees 2 can be any living plantwhich is several years old, that forms a lignified bark, said bark beingsuitable for the the emplacement of epiphytes. Trunks or branches fromliving plants with lignified bark are suitable if the section that iscut out is amenable to root formation and generates new shoots and a newcrown. Also suitable for host trees 2 are many plants that will remainalive even after their leaf crowns have been removed, cut back orthinned out. The growth of not only their leaf crowns, but also theirroots can be regulated. They can be kept alive--shorn of their roots orleft with only a small root ball--in relatively small planters, andsections of their trunks and branches put down roots very easily.

Experimentation in this area has shown that epiphytes can be arrangedsurprisingly easily and kept alive on host trees 2 that are never hosttrees for epiphytes in natural surroundings. Thus, for example, anorchid 1 originating from one part of the world can develop better on ahost tree 2 from another part of the world that it can in its naturalhabitat. It also transpires that epiphytes from the Mediterranean areaand the temperate zones can be paired with tropical epiphytes. This isindicated in FIGS. 3 and 5.

The potential of the process according to the present invention thatapply to transportation can be derived from the above discusson. If theorchid 1 is rooted on a host tree 2 that has taken root in a planter,and is in a permanent biological union with it, (FIG. 4, FIG. 1) theorchid can be transported with the planter 3 with no difficulty. Iftransportation of the planter 3 is not desirable for any reason, theorchid 1 must be united permanently and biologically with a host tree 2of which a small portion will remain alive during the move and which isamenable to rooting by the orchid. A large selection of such host trees2 is available, as has already been mentioned. This possibility isillustrated in FIG. 6.

However, this process also presents the possibility of being able tomove a previously created floral arrangement. In this case one mustproceed so as to preserve the permanent biological union between thehost tree 2 and the orchid, and only moves that portion of the host tree2 that is necessary for the survival of the floral arrangement. This iscontrary to the former practice, according to which the permanentbiological union, the rooting, is destroyed by removing the orchid 1from the host tree 2.

It needs no special mention that during cultivation, during creation ofthe floral arrangement, during preservation of the permanent biologicalunion and during transportation, as in all other dealings with theorchid 1 and/or the host tree 2, one must proceed in the manner of acareful gardener. All methods, materials, and procedures that are usedin the garden in the interests of the desired effect are to be usedhere. Selection and application of such procedures present no problem tothe expert of average knowledge.

The large number of possibilities that are available for effecting therealisation of the invention can be measured by the large selection ofepiphytes and their derivatives that is available, and the host trees 2that are suitable. There are move than 100,000 tree-dwelling orchids andhybrids of such types and there are many thousand tree-dwellingbromelia, cacti and ferns. Of those other appropriate plants, inaddition to philodendron, Ficus stipulata, symgonium, scindapsus, andhedera, the so-called hanging plants that originate from the most variedplant families can scarce be counted.

In the selection of living plants that form lignified barks there arefive plant groups.

To the first belong woods having the same temperature requirements astropial orchids, for example, ficus hibiscus, palms, codienum, acalypha,yuccaa types, dracaenae, pandanus, and the like. The second groupcomprises the evergreens such as laurel, thuya, taxus and the like. Thestems of these plants can be completely defoliated so that only one leafremains at the tip. The third group is made up of those trees that growrelatively fast, and includes bushes: euoenlymus, tamarix, jasminum,lonicera, salix, oleander, myrtle, coffea arabica, tea bush, citrustypes. These plants root extremely well and thrive after being cut back.The fourth group includes, for example, European varieties such as oak,white beech, alder, lime, white poplar, elder, and sumac; these root incold earth and in summer have high, relatively slim crowns and theirrelatively high trunks, several meters thick, are well suited for theemplacement of orchids. The fifth group is formed of dwarf ornamentalplants with lignified bark: cordilynes, rhododendron, grevillea, andsome succulent types of euphorbia.

Since the pairing possibilities permit several hundred thousandvariations, only examples for which the host tree 1 is characteristicare cited below; this can be paired with one or several epiphytes, whichis expedient from the standpoint of cultivating ornamental plants.

The types cited in the examples are given as examples and can bereplaced by any other type within a group.

EXAMPLE 1

A 10-cm thick, 2-m section cut from a tree having the same temperaturerequirements as tropical orchids, Yucca elephantoides, was rooted in aplanter of 20 liters capacity. Modern, large-bloom phalaenopsis hybridsat the four-leaf stagewith bare roots covered by moss were emplaced onthis section prior to blooming, in a triangular arrangement and securedby silk thread. After sprouting the resulting blossom tendrils weresecured to the stem at the required angle and in the desired directionby means of flexible hooks and cut off in full bloom. The superfluousshoots of the yucca were cut off and used as slips. In the fall, thesuperfluous leaves were removed and used as mulch. The uncovered areason the stem of the yucca were used to rear tillandsia.

EXAMPLE 2

A 5-cm thick, 50-cm section of a rapidly growing bush, tamarix, wasrooted in a soil-filled planter. Halfway up the section, oncidiumpapilio was rooted. After sprouting, the blossom tendrils grew.Ceropegia was allowed to shoot on the stem. The whole arrangement wasused when in bloom.

EXAMPLE 3

A 10-cm thick pandanus tree, a tree with the same temperaturerequirements as tropical orchids, had its crown removed. The roots werecut back to 10 cm. The whole was re-rooted in a 40-liter planter and thenew shoots thinned out. The host tree so obtained was overgrown withmulticoloured leaved philodendron. Orchid types and hybrids from thevanda family were settled on the bark of the tree. When in bloom, thearrangement can be used to obtain cut flowers, or for display.

EXAMPLE 4

The root ball of a palm, i.e., a tree with the same temperaturerequirements as tropical orchids, was artificially confined in a crate.The crown was thinned out and the bare trunk was settled to a height of1.50 m with orchids belonging to the Laelien family. For gardenpurposes, the plants can be used as collectors for the laelia types.

EXAMPLE 5

Three sections of jasmine trunk, i.e., sections of a fast growing bush,each 1.50 m long and 2 cm thick, were rooted in a 40-liter planter sothat they were in contact with each other. Only at the upper extremitieswere several green branches left as a crown. At intervals of 20 cm fromeach other modern hybrids of dendrobium phalenopsis were settled on thestems and their roots filled the spaces between the three columns, wherethey were anchored. The arrangement was used for the continuousprovision of cut blooms. In winter, the orchids were allowed to rest andthe jasmine leaves to fall.

EXAMPLE 6

A 60-cm long, 3 cm thick section of dwarf willow i.e., of a fast-growingtree (salix), was rooted in a flower pot of 12 cm diameter. Zygopetaloncrinitum was settled on the stem, together with adiantum fern. Thearrangement was intended for sale.

EXAMPLE 7

A 3-cm thick, 1.50 m long branch of Lonicera, a fast-growing bush, isrooted and settled with arachnis orchids. The arrangement was used toprovide cut flowers.

EXAMPLE 8

The 1-m high trunk of a dragon tree (dracaena), a tree with the sametemperature requirements as orchids, was rooted with a root ball in a20-cm diameter pot. The crown was shaped, the whole trunk set with typesof rhipsalis and epephyllum. Scissus was used as a climber. Thearrangement was intended for sale.

EXAMPLE 9

Six-cm high stem sections of Euphorbia, an ornamental plant with alignified bark, were raised in a 20-cm pot and settled with Ionopsispaniculata orchids and Tillandsia cacticalo. The whole arrangement wasused for marketing.

EXAMPLE 10

The 2-m high stem of a thuya, an evergreen tree, the roots and crown ofwhich had been severely cut back, was settled with Bulbophylum orchids.The arrangement was intended for plant-lovers

EXAMPLE 11

A Taxus with cutback roots, i.e an evergreen tree, was raised in acontainer. The crown was left only on the top one-eighth of the longstem. The stem was settled with Doritaenopsis orchids. The arrangementwas used to provide cut flowers.

EXAMPLE 12

After its roots and leaves had been thinned out, a 1-m high example ofthe coffee bush (Coffea arabica) with a trunk 4 cm in diameter, i.e., afast-growing bush, was settled with 12 different sorts of dwarf orchidthat bloomed at the same time as the coffee bush. The arrangement wassold in toto.

EXAMPLE 13

A lemon tree (Citrus), an evergreen tree, with cutback roots andramified leaves was covered by Ficus stipulata. Odontoglossum andStanhopes orchids were settled on the stem and the branches. Thearrangement was sold in toto or displayed.

EXAMPLE 14

The crown of a dwarf orange (Citrus ichausa), a dwarf evergreen, was cutto shape and the tree raised in a #20 pot. Epidendrum orchids and dwarfbromelia (Neoreglia) were settled on the stem. The arrangement issuitable as a showwindow display.

EXAMPLE 15

A 0.3 m stem section of an evergreen bush, Euonymus, with cutback roots,cut crown and thinned shoots, was settled with Dendrobium nobile fromthe monsoom areas, or with related types. The arrangement was sold intoto when in bloom.

EXAMPLE 16

An example of the orchid Cattleopsis, which grows only on oaks (Quercus)was transferred with the branch on which it was situated by shootgrafting onto an oak that had been grown in a pot. Once the draft hadgrown, the arrangement could be moved.

EXAMPLE 17

An example of Araucaria, an evergreen, the roots and foliage of whichhad been cut, was settled in its habitat with Coryantes, a CentralAmerican orchid. The orchids were thus transportable, even though up tonow it has proved impossible to keep them alive for protracted periodsin temperate latitudes.

EXAMPLE 18

An example of myrtle, an evergreen bush, with cut roots and thinned outfoliage, was raised in a container. Bollea, Colax and similarfine-blossomed orchids were settled on the lignate portions. Thearrangement was sold in a transparent cylinder as a small indoor hothouse.

EXAMPLE 19

Orchid types that are difficult to raise but which cultivate well,together with epiphytic bromelias and Tillandsia were settled on livebark of the evergreen laurel (Laurus). Climbing plants withmulticoloured foliage were used as climbers. All the settled plants wereused for shoot propagation. The shoots that were cut off were eitherraised on a live tree or set in a suitable substate and sold.

EXAMPLE 20

A Cochlioda orchid was set on the finger thick branch of an oleanderbush, a fast-growing bush as soon as root formation began in a newshoot. After six months, when the roots of the orchid had grown aroundthe branch, the oleander branch was cut off some 15 cm beneath the rootsof the orchid and placed in water for two weeks, until a callous hadformed on the oleander and the beginnings of roots could be seen. Thebranch together with the foliage was cut off 5 cm above the orchid atthis time, and the lower end with the callous packed in wet cotton orwet plastic foam. The branch, together with the orchied that had grownfirmly into place upon it, was transported. On arriving at itsdestination, the last 5 cm of the lower end of the oleander branch wasset in an earth-filled flower pot. The crown grew and could be shaped asdesired. The orchid that had grown firmly into place on the oleander hadundamaged roots, grew, and flourished.

EXAMPLE 21

Small varieties of orchids with the same temperature requirements as thehibiscus and which bloom at different times were settled on the stem andbranches of a hibiscus, a bush with the same temperature requirements astropical orchids, which had been simply cut back; Tillandsie was alsosettled on it. The whole arrangement was sold as plant arrangement thatblooms throughout the year.

EXAMPLE 22

The branches of a tall Buxbaum, an evergreen bush, were thinned out.Varieties of Vriesea, Guzmannia, Billberia, Neoregelia and Aechmea weresettled on the branches. The arrangement can be sold as a plant groupingthat produces blooms at any time, but also as a source of shoots forvegetative propagation of the settled multicolour leaved Bromelia.

EXAMPLE 23

Cattleya hybrids and original varieties were settled and allowed to growon the bark of a thick-stemmed Ficus, a tree with the same temperaturerequirements as tropical orchids and which has a small crown. Thearrangement can be used in gardening as a source for propagationmaterials.

EXAMPLE 24

Tall trees such as oak, white poplar, alder and red spruce were plantedin the open at intervals of 2.5 m from each other (FIG. 3). In the rowsof columns that resulted from the two rows of trees some 6 m high thebottom 11 of the hot house 8 was arranged at a height of some 40 cm, theroof 11 being installed at a height of 3 m. The crowns 5 extend abovethe hot house 8. The lower and the upper openings for the host tree 2through the hot house 8 is thermally insulated by means of a flexibleconnection 12. The live bark of the tree within the hot house 8 issettled on a spiral line with hybrids of Cattleya to a height of 2.60 min spring, when the roots are developing; the Cattleya are so selectedthat the timing, colour and quantity of the blooms are in keeping withlocal market demands. The area of the hot house 8 that is unobstructedbetween the trees can be used to cultivate floral arrangements that areset at a height of 50 cm and contain examples of small decorative trees,for example, Dizygotea, Codienum, Camelia, Fatshedera, Ilex, Machonia,Grevillea, epiphytes that are suitable for indoor use. These can be soldon average for 3-9 months after settling as blooming examples. TheCattleya hybrids that grow on the column trees serve as an on-goingsource for cut flowers.

The members of the arrangements described in the examples can be mixedand the selection can be extended with due consideration of aestheticfactors by various other pairings. The arrangement of the host trees 2can also be varied in many ways. It is advantageous to set up rows ofcolumns that are proportional to the height of the hot houses, and tomake it possible to alter the distances between them. Thus the bestpossible interval from the standpoint of light utilisation and shadowformation can be arranged. This can then be varied, depending on thenecessities of care and the use of the intervening spaces. Low columnsor other plants can be alternated in the space between the highercolumns.

I claim:
 1. A combination of a floral arrangement and a hot house,wherein said floral arrangement comprises precultivated epiphytesincluding orchids, hybrids, and intergeneric derivatives settled on thebark of a host tree such that said hot house surrounds said epiphytes,wherein an area of said tree is not surrounded by said hot house, saidhot house surrounding the trunk of the tree in gripping relation suchthat at least the lower end of the trunk is outside the hot house.
 2. Acombination as in claim 1, wherein said area is both below and abovesaid hot house, said hot house also surrounding an upper portion of thetrunk of the tree in gripping relation such that the trunk of the treepasses entirely through the hot house.
 3. A combination as in claim 2,in which there is a flexible connection between said hot house and saidhost tree in the region where a roof and a base of said hot housesurrounds said tree.
 4. A combination as in claim 1, wherein a pluralityof said combination of trees and hot houses are arranged in rows suchthat small plants are arranged between said rows of trees.